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The Environment Concerns about the environment continue to be widespread in Orange County. But this year, environmental issues appear to be taking a back seat to residents' worries about the economy. Today, 48 percent say environmental problems pose a "very serious" threat to their health and well-being, 35 percent consider the threat to be "somewhat serious," and 16 percent say it is "not too serious." The number who consider the problem to be very serious has declined 12 points since 1990, while the number saying it is somewhat serious is unchanged. The number saying the threat is not too serious, meanwhile, is up 8 points. As in past years, younger people continue to be more concerned about the threat environmental problems pose to their personal health: 54 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds say the threat is very serious, compared to 47 percent of those aged 35 to 54 and 38 percent of older residents. Women are also more likely to consider environmental problems very serious (53%) than are men (41%). There are no differences by region of residence or income. Perceptions of air pollution in Orange County have also declined. This year, 37 percent say air pollution in Orange County is a "big problem," 41 percent say it is "somewhat of a problem," 16 percent call it a "small problem" and 5 percent say it is "no problem." When this question was last asked in 1989, 48 percent considered air pollution a big problem. Again, 18- to 34-year-olds are more likely to consider air pollution a big problem (44%) than are 35- to 54-year-olds (36%) or older residents (27%). Residents in the West (33%) and South (34%) are somewhat less likely to think air pollution is a big problem than are those in the North (41%) and Central County (39%). Women are also more concerned (41%) than are men (32%). There are no differences by income. Finally, in a time when there is already extensive fear about job loss, residents are divided on the trade-off between environmental protection and jobs. Forty-two percent say they would be willing to accept higher levels of unemployment in Orange County so that industry could better protect the environment, while 48 percent would not. Ten percent are undecided. Orange County residents' opinions on the question of employment versus environmental protection is similar to Americans nationwide. In a 1990 national poll by Cambridge Reports, 40 percent said they would accept higher unemployment for environmental protection, 47 percent said no and 13 percent were not sure. People under 55 are considerably more likely to accept higher unemployment to protect the environment (45%) than are older residents (33%). College graduates are also more willing to trade jobs for environmental quality (48%) than are those without degrees (38%). Still, less than a majority of the young or college graduates are willing to give up jobs for a better environment. There are no differences by income, region of residence or sex on this question. |
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